b l o g o r e l l i

Butter, Three Ways

I successfully survived both my first wearing of the Butter by Nadia dress and my first wedding with The Prof's muy grande familia...both events went off without a hitch.

After some experimentation, I decided on a style from the instruction card. The Prof helped me with the back section and we were ready to go. Initially, I was a little worried about "the girls" making a surprise appearance, but dang it if that 72% rayon/ 28% spandex mix doesn't hug the bod in right tight.

We attended the ceremony and the time had arrived to celebrate at the reception. Style #6 (halter with twisted center back) received rave reviews, and when I revealed the dress's switchable nature, many partygoers (and The Prof himself) came up  with the idea of me switching the configuration during the reception. Never one to turn down the chance to please a crowd, I obliged, going into the bathroom and working up Style #3 (knotted straps, cap sleeves) about mid-reception. Again, the dress did not disappoint.

By the end of the night, I was three g+ts and dress styles in, modeling #10 (a Grecian-esque one shoulder arrangement.) No one got any pictures of that one, and I'm sort of glad...because a certain drunky someone caught said amazing dress in the car door on the drive home. However, I did get up and go to work the next day, so the old gal's still got it.

Beginning:

Middle: 

 

End (clearly not me, but this is the style):

Not Just For Saugus Girls On Club Night Anymore

...and not just in "classic", retina-burning white cavas, either! Keds has stepped up their fashion consciousness considerably in the past few years (they even have a collection designed by Nanette LePore) and they seem to have produced the first pair of shoes I'll buy from the brand since eighth grade.

"Inspired by our 1950's Kedette collection, the Keds Do-Si-Do Linen Wedge is pulled from our archives and updated for this Fall. The new laced high wedge, in linen, combines timeless femininity with a sporty look."

I ordered the shoe in two sizes just in case (since shipping was free) and am excited to initiate them into my Fall wardrobe. Disagree with me, but I think the wedges will look fabu with jeans, "slacks", and skirts (i.e. Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday.)

Keeping my fingers crossed that these shoes aren't awful in an orthopedic-looking way upon arrival...

(Below, the other contender, which was eliminated for possibly not being neutral enough. Heh.)

Artifaktori

My old hood 'Da Ville continues to build a (dare I say?) hip and thriving retail district with the addition of a little store called Artifaktori on College Avenue, which carries antiques, clothes, and shoes. More details from a Decor 8 post...I can't wait to check out this place!

Like Buttah

On the Saturday while my mom was visiting a few weeks back, I made two just, well, tremendous purchases sharing a common theme: butter.

I've wanted to Believe The Hype about French-style butter crocks since I saw an über-cute hand sculpted one on Etsy a few months ago. Unfortunately, that crock sold and all the others I've seen looked too chunky and big. We took my mom into the Boston Cheese Cellar (watch the video, really, it is too fun and adorably pro-Rozzie) to show her where The Prof threw my surprise 30th birthday party and -- wham -- right there, in the window, The Original Butter Bell! I immediately bought the matte white version (although I wouldn't mind having some of the "mini bells" for brunches.)

Basically, you put 1/3 cup of cold water into the bottom of the crock and smooth softened butter into the lid. The lid turns upside down, goes down into the very top of the water, a vacuum seal is made...and the result is delicious soft butter for all your spreading needs. We tried the bell when we got home and have been using it since so I can truthfully gush: genius! I love having soft, fresh butter every time. Plus, keeping the butter in the crock on the counter feels so European somehow. Finally I can stop microwaving the butter dish, which was attracting much contempt from Bobby Crocker (a butter connoisseur) and The Prof (who disliked the resulting hills and valleys in the stick.)

One warning: if it's a bit balmy, the water must be changed every three days to avoid spoilage, and if the butter/room temperature reaches higher than 80 degrees, the yellow stuff will slip out when you raise the lid. I lost one stick of butter in this way last week.But no harm, no folly...a little time in the fridge to firm up, and the bell was back in service.

Now, what could possibly top and still thematically link with The Butter Bell? Why, Butter by Nadia's Signature Wrap Dress, of course. I happened upon this amazing garmet in the store Bliss when we daytripped to Portsmouth. I will be wearing the dress to all remaining weddings this season -- but in what configuration? Guess the world will have to wait and see, since the slightly shimmery, nylon cloth can be wrapped, knotted, and tied into 15+ combinations. This dress so flattered my "bod" that I almost want a jersey version in some fun color (or basic black) for everyday.

TYDTWDwPF!

Do I mean "Take Your Dog To Work Day with PoopFreeze"? Why yes, yes I do.

I'm a few days back on the official TYDTWD (June 20) but I couldn't miss commemorating the occasion without encouraging dog owners to "Frost it and Toss it!"

At first, I thought this was a viral video gag, but turns out the company is legitimate and "Pet owners can now buy the first freeze-spray aerosol made for animal waste pick-up" right on the PF website, for $9.95 a can. They even sell a carry Poop-Freeze Carry Tote, for those pet owners who think they're hot shit, not cold...well, you get the idea.

My Sigg, Your Sigg, No Sigg

Been waiting since the downfall of Nalgenes to jump on Sigg's train? Get to a computer or nearest "outdoor lifestyle" store stat -- apparently the lightweight, crack-resistant, reusable, and recyclable aluminum bottles are in such short supply that even the company's own online store has halted sales.

"Due to the incredible demand for SIGG bottles, we are forced to close down the MySIGG shop. We are also unable to supply any other Internet business for Sigg Brand. Our Swiss factory is working around the clock to produce and ship more bottles to us, but the demand has currently and for the near future - exceeded the supply."

REI, EMS, and LL Bean all seem to still have the bottles in stock (online and off)...I might just buy a few to auction at eBay!

Grobal Gifting

One of my favorite things about the warmer, sunnier days? The time is ideal for planting outdoor gardens. This year, I'm hoping to not kill my green flock through under-watering by using Grobals, "The Cutest Self-Watering Plant Pot(s) Ever" (not to be confused with Josh.)

Designed by Karim Rashid (who did the Method packaging, among many other things,) these adorable pots are not only available in lots of stylish colors but also draw water and nutrients from the reservoir into the soil to keep plants happy + healthy. I love that the product photos feature succulents, which are my personal favorites due to their general heartiness.

Plus, Grobals look like the little machines from Batteries Not Included when open and come in various sizes...perfect for gifting, not to mention mixing-n-matching.

When Green + Beans = Good

I'm always on the lookout for unique present ideas, and with NStar receiving state approval to offer green energy to their customers starting this summer reminds me that  "green" is another dimension added to my gifting criteria.

Luckily, The Dairy Queen received a brilliant -- and practical -- enviro present for her birthday: the Bentwood Coffee Cuff. Available in Bengle,  Birds Eye Maple, and Black Maple, the cuffs (fashioned by hand with reclaimed architectural veneer offcuts,) can make your wrist and morning "habit" fashionable.

Go one step further: add DecorCraft's "I'm Not a Paper Cup", um, cup (made of porcelin with a silicone top) to the morning routine and your a.m. carbon footprint is suddenly mucho pequeño. How very appealing to those of us wearing size 10s.

Grete Prytz Kittelsen: My New Non-Sexual Crush

Since I've mostly maxed out the typewriter collection in space and variety (only two remain that I truly desire: the Smith Corona Ghia [orange] and the IBM Selectra [green],) I've decided to redirect my collecting desires in a new direction:

All of the above fotos are from the Flikr pool Lovers of Catherineholm Designs and show pieces designed by  Grete Prytz Kittelsen for Catherineholm of Norway.

"Lovely items with the ‘Lotus’ pattern created by Grete Prytz, a second wife of infamous Norvegian Designer Arne Korsmo. Grete Prytz Kittelsen was born 1917 in Oslo, Norway. Her designs have won many prestigious awards. She was one of most influential designers in Scandinavia in Mid-Century. In 2003, when she was already 86, Grete visited China, where she saw traditional Chinese enamel factory still in operation and which inspired her to start designing again. Chang & Biörck got exclusive rights to reproduce some of her design, among which a bowl and a plate, that she designed using similar colors as her original 1950s works. Cathrineholm of Norway started enamel production in 1907." (from Nordic Design Blog.)

I already own one GPK4CH piece, an enamel bowl that I unknowingly bought for $2 while thrifting five years ago. Now  I have a new (and domestically inclined) purpose in trolling ebay and random thrift stores -- I can almost feel my blood boiling in excitement!

1, 2, 3 Shoes You're Out

Inevitably, the day has arrived: the first "official" televised Red Sox game stateside (they played a series in Tokyo last week.) As such, The Prof gets to  watch the game in HD on our new(ish) flatscreen television...and I get to enjoy pleasurable pursuits as well: sit next to him on our new(ish) couch, drink a G&T, and blog about warmer weather shoes.

Spring is here!

The weather today hit the low 60s, and despite the wind, I decided to take a walk to DSW at lunch and investigate shoe options for the Spring-to-Summer months (now through June in Boston.) Basically, I've decided that flats are the way to go, but really comfy yet fashionable flats. Last year, these podiatric jewels were rare, but with the surge in popularity of no-heels, I hit the jackpot:

Cole Haan (G Series w/Nike) Coby Flats

Royal Elastics Flonica

Both pairs were on sale and are über-comfy. During a weekly phone chat, I mentioned my new kicks and The Polish Princess mentioned that she saw some great shoes at Target this past weekend. She recommended these stylish picks:

Merona Amber Chop-Out Flats

Xhilaration-Shauna-Ballet-Flats

But what to do when those spring showers hit? Personally, I always wear my red Hunter Wellies, a skirt and some cotton knee socks...but I keep an open mind:

Swims, the supposed "it" footwear of Spring, are sleek overshoes designed by a Norwegian. I saw these called "nouveau galoshes" and, hey, I can hang...even if I think they might make feet sweat like John Mayer's palms. They certainly do look like fun for puddle jumping. Thoughts on this one, especially from the gents?